Disclaimer: The purpose of this website is simply to provide basic information of the types of timber built constructions and wooden dwellings. It is not intended to be a definitive guide or instructional tutorial. Always check with your local building departments, surveyors, structural engineers and builders before commencing any work on timber structures.
Background
Wood has been used in the building of houses for thousands of years. It has strength, beauty and natural insulating properties. It is manageable, pliable and can be inter-locked in a way which increases it’s strength and durability.
It has the ability to withstand stresses and movement in a way that other more rigid materials can’t such as concrete or steel both of which will fracture if there is too much movement in one direction. Wood, on the other hand, will stretch and bend to accommodate changes in temperature or even land movement. I remember a structural engineer telling me that I could jack-up the corner of my timber frame, timber clad house by as much as 30 cm (12 inches) without causing significant damage to the integrity of the structure.
A timber house is lighter, easier and faster to build and made with an environmentally friendly and sustainable construction material.
Wooden buildings are energy efficient because of their natural insulating properties and require less temperature control than traditionally brick built structures. During winter they have warmer interiors whilst in summer they are cooler thus reducing the need for high energy consuming equipment such as heaters and air conditioners.